Purpose of this Site
To bring to the attention of air historians and others, the important role that Bomber Command played through operations from bases in Italy during WW2. Authentically reported in the book illustrated above. The book's historic content covers the living conditions, weather, strategic and tactical bombing raids dropping supplies in Italy Southern Germany and the Balkans.

A Little Bit Of History.
It also tells of mine laying the River Danube, which was a great success. This vast river had become a very important lifeline for the German forces, connecting the oil fields of Rumania and the grain fields of Hungary with the German war machine. One barge could carry a load equivalent to a hundred railway wagons and hundreds did just that. Because of the allied air attacks on rail and road links the river was used extensively to carry supplies to the German front lines. This route now became unavailable to them because of the minelaying. Ports became blocked and overcrowded and storage facilities strained. Barges were sunk up and down the river, those that ventured out of the blocked ports and dispersed along the riverbanks, together with those that remained, were easy targets for Beaufighters supporting the minelaying operation, which attacked them with cannon fire. Canals also became blocked and traffic along the river was reduced by 70%. Trained troops, guns and equipment badly needed elsewhere were used to try to defend the river. Defence activity even extended to setting up a minesweeping base with special equipped planes and mine sweeping ships. As if this wasn't enough, bargees refused to go out, causing severe unrest in the river ports.